Where is empathy for Iraqis?

While reading the account of soldiers leaving Iraq ("U.S takes its leave from Iraq," Dec. 18), I was struck once again at the illegitimate question that is so often asked about the Iraq war: Was it worth it? That may be a proper question to ask when a financial investment is evaluated but not a suitable question when violence is initiated.

Empathy seems to be non-existent. Imagine if the tables were turned and Iraq did to us what we did to them. What if you lost your family and business from Iraq attacking us and pundits from Iraq sat around a table with their lattes and discussed whether it was worth it?

Violence can only be legitimate when used to defend yourself from aggression and only against those attacking you. It should never be used to improve someone's condition because the people helped will always be at the expense of those you harm. That work can only be left for a deity.

The Sun's report on the burning to death of the captured Jordanian pilot refers to his murderers as "militants" ("After Jordanian's death, U.S. moves pilot rescue aircraft closer to battlefield," Feb. 5). The juxtaposition of the barbarity of the murderers coupled with the anodyne description...

I write as a 93-year-old retired educator who worked in a classroom for 35 years, 32 of which were as the principal of an independent middle school and before that as a Naval Reserve Officer for eight years of active duty including five during World War II, two of which were aboard the aircraft...

There is only one word to describe the behavior of an American citizen who provides "aid and comfort" to the enemy — it's treason ("Girls' alleged attempt to go to Syria worries some," Oct. 23). I've no idea what the federal statutes are today, but in the past the penalty was a death....

Sectarian violence is tearing apart much of the Middle East. One of the major antagonists, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is also becoming a serious domestic security challenge for more than 80 countries around the world grappling with concerns about foreign terrorist...

As a veteran of World War II who served five years in the Pacific almost three of which were aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and later recalled for three more years during the Korean War, in my opinion President Barack Obama is absolutely not defending the safety of our citizens...

In response to reader Jay Hilgartner's letter, Bud Adams asserts that the "disaster of nation building in Iraq" occurred when President Obama removed all U.S. troops from the country in 2011, against the advice of his military advisers and at a time when the country was calm and stable...

I was elated to see the article, "U.S.: Airstrikes in Syria, Iraq change Islamic State tactics" (Oct. 18), use the same terminology as President Barack Obama when referring to the Islamic State that we are currently combating. I wish I could say the same for the media. Prominent anchors and...